mn_sv.com:svcolumns192064815SV opinion213202Wed, 21 Feb 2018 20:31:45 PSTMon, 12 Jan 2009 10:55:50 PSTFri, 27 Sep 2013 15:55:58 PDT150GenericOpinion/opinion/npc-news.mercurynews.com4746980The Mercury News568http://www.mercurynews.comwww.mercurynews.comfeeds.mercurynews.com30334092CCT-VIDGAME-0909.xmltrueBy Gieson Cacho, gcacho@bayareanewsgroup.comTue, 6 Sep 2016 14:14:07 PDTThu, 8 Sep 2016 00:01:00 PDTSun, 6 Sep 2026 17:39:44 PDTThu, 8 Sep 2016 00:01:00 PDTTue, 6 Sep 2016 21:06:20 PDTTue, 6 Sep 2016 21:05:28 PDT3118falseBy Gieson Cacho&#44; gcacho&#64;bayareanewsgroup&#46;com2016-09-06T14:14:07-07:0020160906T210620-07002016-09-06T14:14:25-07:0020160906T210528-07002016090609/06/20162026-09-06T17:39:44-07:002120YVideo game review: 'Spirit of Justice' revitalizes 'Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney' franchiseAfter the original 'Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney' trilogy, 'Apollo Justice,' 'Dual Destinies' and other spinoffs were disappointments. The new 'Spirit of Justice' recaptures the qualities that made the original so rewarding.After the original 'Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney' trilogy, 'Apollo Justice,' 'Dual Destinies' and other spinoffs were disappointments. The new 'Spirit of Justice' recaptures the qualities that made the original so rewarding.<p>The "Ace Attorney" courtroom adventure-game franchise hasn't been the same since the original Phoenix Wright trilogy ended in 2007.</p><p>It took backward steps with the subsequent arrival of characters such as Apollo Justice, Athena Cykes and Trucy Wright, who couldn't hold a candle to Phoenix and his assistant, Maya Fey. </p><p>The two previous adventures felt like episodes of "The Transformers" with Rodimus Prime at the helm, instead of Optimus, or of the "X-Files" with John Doggett and Monica Reyes at the center, instead of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. </p><p>The series became a shadow of its former self, with uneven storylines and courtroom scenarios that recycled tricks from earlier versions. "Apollo Justice," "Dual Destinies" and other spinoffs came off as halfhearted attempts to recapture the qualities that made the original so satisfying. </p><p>Fortunately, the new "Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney -- Spirit of Justice," revitalizes the franchise, reintroduces Phoenix and Maya and presents them in an even better light. And the new cases demand that players rely on logic and strategy to turn the tide in courtroom battles.</p><p>As the game opens, Phoenix is reuniting with spirit medium Maya, just as she completes her ascetic training in the Kingdom of Khura'in, a religious nation ruled by a queen. Khura'in's legal system has two unusual features -- the Divination Seance and the Defense Culpability Act.</p><p>Rayfa, the princess of Khura'in, possesses an ability to witness the last moments of a murder victim's life through the Divination Seance and so identify culprits. </p><p>The Defense of Culpability Act decrees that the lawyer representing the accused be subject to the same fate as the client. So Phoenix must risk his own life whenever defending a client he believes to be innocent of a capital crime. </p><p>Even Apollo and Athena face potential peril as they defend the Wright Anything Agency from a shady TV producer who's suing for $3 million. They also must prove that Phoenix's daughter, Trucy, is not guilty of a murder.</p><p>Four of the five new "Spirit of Justice" cases will put players on edge, and the developers at Capcom methodically ratchet up the tension by creating increasingly difficult situations for the attorneys.</p><p>A client's fingerprints, for example will show up on a murder weapon, or a seance will indicate the defendant was the killer. </p><p>As in the original trilogy, players must find the contradictions in a piece of evidence or a witness's testimony. And each attorney has a special way of unlocking the truth. </p><p>Phoenix can detect "Psych-Locks" -- mental barriers that protect a person's secrets from others. Apollo has a knack for reading the tics that signal a witness is lying. Athena specializes in analytical psychology, with the help of her Mood Matrix. Though these powers popped up occasionally in earlier games, with "Spirit of Justice" they play roles in each and every case. </p><p>The most significant gameplay addition in "Spirit of Justice" is the Divination Seance, which challenges players to figure out the discrepancies between a victim's last memory and the interpretation of it given by Princess Rayfa.</p><p>The developers also permit refreshing new ways to gather evidence -- dusting for fingerprints, analyzing videos and using luminol to detect traces of blood that has been wiped away. </p><p>But though the new game gets a lot of things right, players will still experience some frustrations -- leaps of logic in the Magical Turnabout case or the lack of a key piece of evidence that the game will accept. When such problems arise, the only path forward involves trial and error.</p><p>Thankfully, "Spirit of Justice" allows a player to save the game at any stage, so he or she can return to it later. There's also a "Consult" button that provides hints. But use it sparingly; sometimes a hint spoils the fun. </p><p>Contact Gieson Cacho at 510-735-7076 or <a href="mailto:gcacho@bayareanewsgroup.com" >gcacho@bayareanewsgroup.com</a>. Read his blog at <a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei" >http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei</a>.</p><p>'Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney -- Spirit of Justice'<br></p><p> * * * ½<br></p><p>Platform: Nintendo 3DS<br>Rating: Teen<br></p><a href="mailto:gcacho@bayareanewsgroup.com">gcacho@bayareanewsgroup.com</a><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei">http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei</a>

"Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney -- Spirit of Justice" is a return to form for the courtroom adventure game.

"Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney -- Spirit of Justice" is a return to form for the courtroom adventure game.

Courtesy of Capcom
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"Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney -- Spirit of Justice" is a return to form for the courtroom adventure game.
Courtesy of Capcom
position430333577imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0906/20160906__CCT-VIDGAME-0809~2.JPG
"Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney -- Spirit of Justice" is a return to form for the courtroom adventure game.
Courtesy of Capcom
30333446SJM-QUINN-0907.xmltrue:biz:bizstaff:apple:svcolumns:sv2020news:quinn:whatsnew:bizbreaking:By Michelle Quinn, mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.comTue, 6 Sep 2016 11:14:27 PDTTue, 6 Sep 2016 11:14:29 PDTSun, 6 Sep 2026 15:42:56 PDTTue, 6 Sep 2016 11:14:29 PDTTue, 6 Sep 2016 15:44:24 PDTTue, 6 Sep 2016 15:43:01 PDT3118falseBy Michelle Quinn&#44; mquinn&#64;bayareanewsgroup&#46;com2016-09-06T11:14:27-07:0020160906T154424-07002016-09-06T11:16:27-07:0020160906T154301-07002016090609/06/20162026-09-06T15:42:56-07:001514YThe iPhone 7 is expected to be slimmer, have a better camera but no headphone jackApple, with iPhone sales slipping, is under pressure to generate excitement at its iPhone event this week in San Francisco, but users may wait for its next model, which is expected to coincide with the iPhone's 10th anniversary next year. Apple, with iPhone sales slipping, is under pressure to generate excitement at its iPhone event this week in San Francisco, but users may wait for its next model, which is expected to coincide with the iPhone's 10th anniversary next year. <p>When Apple executives unveil the iPhone 7 on Wednesday in San Francisco, a big question will loom over the event -- will the new device be enough? </p><p>Enough that is, for current iPhone owners to say goodbye to their old phones and clamor for a new one. </p><p>It is a critical time for Apple. iPhone sales, which make up more than two-thirds of Apple's annual revenues, have been falling. </p><p>Its Apple Watch, which is expected to get an upgrade Wednesday, hasn't taken off. </p><p>Sure there will be razzle-dazzle at the Apple event. There always is. It is still the moment when the entire tech industry stops and pays attention. What Apple announces can upend other firms' plans or create new opportunities. </p><p>Other than its business challenge, the company has become a political hot potato, recently coming under fire in Europe for its large stockpile of money, which Apple holds offshore rather than pay the U.S. corporate tax rate. The European Commission's ruling that Apple owed Ireland $14.5 billion in back taxes has set off a firestorm in the U.S. over Apple, and other firms, which park profits overseas. </p><p>But this week the question facing Apple won't be where its tax revenues should go, but what did the firm do with the iPhone's headphone jack. What the new iPhone reportedly won't have is already set to be the most newsworthy. </p><p>I hate to ask since consumer technology is supposed to be so exciting. But except for tweens handed their first phone, are the rest of us getting a little bored with our iPhones and other smartphones? </p><p>I ask, because Apple faces a double problem, both products of its success. The iPhone lasts longer than it used to and the developed markets are saturated.</p><p>Many millions of users will update to the iPhone 7, because that's what technology has trained us to do. Still, there are only a certain number of people out there who feel they need to upgrade for a new shade of black or better battery life. The rest will wait until our iPhones sputter and give up the ghost, if that should ever happen. </p><p>What Apple reportedly has in store for its next phone, which is expected to be called the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, sounds mildly interesting. </p><p>There's supposed to be a few new colors (dark black and piano black, to name two), improved camera technology for the larger model and more storage. There may also be a home button that one doesn't push, but simply touches and feels a vibration. The iPhone may be slimmer than prior models. </p><p>And then there's that missing headphone jack. Instead, iPhone 7 users will be able to listen to music via the phone's Lightning cable port. (The new iPhones will reportedly come with Lightning-to-headphone adapter as well as Lightning EarPods.)</p><p>You know there will be some howling, because people hate change. </p><p>Rumors have it that the iPhone can be slimmer without the headphone jack and that its absence also helps with waterproofing. </p><p>But there could be another reason. The firm reportedly has a new audio system in the works for the next phone and Apple is trying to get its users ready for the change. </p><p>The missing headphone jack move hearkens back to when Apple first came out with the iPhone in 2007. </p><p>Missing from the brand new device was a traditional keypad with physical buttons like a BlackBerry or a stylus like a PalmPilot. Some people thought Apple was crazy to break from the standard design, but the company reinvented smartphones with these changes. </p><p>Given what appears to be small upgrades to the iPhone, what Apple may be doing this week is offering the iPhone 7 as a placeholder, something that those needing an upgrade can have but nothing to really knock the socks off the entire smartphone category. </p><p>Analysts predict that the company may be planning a major overhaul of the iPhone next year for its 10th anniversary. Among the rumored changes is that iPhone will be an all-glass device. </p><p>That could wake up the masses. </p><p>Contact Michelle Quinn at 510-394-4196 and <a href="mailto:mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com" >mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com</a>. Follow her at <a href="http://Twitter.com/michellequinn" >Twitter.com/michellequinn</a>.</p><a href="mailto:mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com">mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com</a><a href="http://Twitter.com/michellequinn">Twitter.com/michellequinn</a>

Courtesy Apple â Pictured is the invitation sent to journalists by Apple to announce the Sept. 7, 2016 product introduction event at the Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco. The hot rumor is that a new iteration of the popular iPhone - the iPhone 7 - will be among the new products introduced.

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Courtesy Apple â Pictured is the invitation sent to journalists by Apple to announce the Sept. 7, 2016 product introduction event at the Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco. The hot rumor is that a new iteration of the popular iPhone - the iPhone 7 - will be among the new products introduced.
30317108SJM-MAGID-0804.xmltrue:biz:bizstaff:ptech:svcolumns:sv2020news:magid:whatsnew:bizbreaking:By Larry Magid<br/>For the Mercury NewsThu, 1 Sep 2016 09:33:22 PDTThu, 1 Sep 2016 09:33:24 PDTTue, 1 Sep 2026 09:48:16 PDTThu, 1 Sep 2016 09:33:24 PDTTue, 6 Sep 2016 06:28:24 PDTTue, 6 Sep 2016 06:27:15 PDT3113falseBy Larry Magid For the Mercury News2016-09-01T09:33:22-07:0020160906T062824-07002016-09-01T09:34:28-07:0020160906T062715-07002016090109/01/20162026-09-01T09:48:16-07:001211YTalk like Dick Tracy on Samsung's new smartwatchesBoth models have built-in GPS, four gigabytes of storage (for music and other media) and are said to be water- and dust-resistant.Both models have built-in GPS, four gigabytes of storage (for music and other media) and are said to be water- and dust-resistant.<p>BERLIN -- As it did last year, Samsung announced its latest smartwatch at the giant IFA trade show in Berlin and, while they weren't yet ready to loan me a review unit to fully test, I was able to wear and fiddle with both new S3 models -- the "Classic" and the more fully featured "Frontier." </p><p>The first thing I noticed about these watches is that they're big and quite nice looking. Samsung invested in finer materials than previous versions of its watches along with a more classic design. The company proudly touted its relationship with Swiss watch designer Yvan Arpa, who helped on the project.</p><p>The S3 is designed to sync with an Android phone, which doesn't necessarily have to be from Samsung. There are reports that Samsung may be working on a way to also sync its watches with iPhones, but a Samsung spokesman would only confirm that "we continually evaluate ways to broaden the availability of our wearable devices to more consumers." </p><p>The two S3 models are quite similar. The Frontier is slightly heavier and a bit more rugged looking than the Classic but the big difference is that some versions of the Frontier will come equipped with an optional LTE cellular connection enabling it to stream music and make phone calls even if you don't have your phone with you.</p><p>Both models can connect to a smartphone and be used as a wristwatch phone reminiscent of the "2-way wrist radio" that comic strip detective Dick Tracy wore back in 1946.</p><p>Both models have built-in GPS, four gigabytes of storage (for music and other media) and are said to be water and dust resistant. Samsung claims about three days battery life, which is a day longer than last year's S2 model.</p><p>The watches support Samsung Pay, making it possible to make a credit or debit card transaction from most merchants without having to take either a phone or a credit card out of your pocket.</p><p>As I mentioned, these are big watches. Both models are 46 mm (1.8 inches) in diameter. Large watches are fashionable but there are plenty of people who would find this watch too big. I suspect that it won't be popular with women who typically wear smaller watches.</p><p>That older Samsung Gear S2 ($249 on Amazon) will remain on the market. I like the S2, as far as smartwatches go, but I have to admit that I rarely wear it, mostly because I often forget to charge it. </p><p>Another problem I have with most smartwatches whose screen lights up is that they are hard to read in bright sunlight. The S3 seems to have a brighter display which will help but I suspect that it too can be washed out by direct sunlight. </p><p>When I wear a smartwatch, I do pay attention to the notifications if I get a call or a text but I don't really miss them that much when I'm not wearing the watch. I like the fact that Samsung (and many other) smartwatches can measure my heart rate but -- again -- it's not something I fixate on most days. And of course it's great to know how far you've walked but you can also get that information directly from an Android's Fit app or iPhone's Health app, even if you're not wearing a smartwatch.</p><p>While Samsung consulted a Swiss watch designer for help with its decidedly electronic device, Fullpower Technologies, a Santa Cruz company headed by technology veteran Philippe Kahn (best known as the inventor of the camera phone) took a different approach. Its MotionX technology brings smart phone capabilities to actual Swiss watches.</p><p> I'm wearing a borrowed Alpina watch that looks pretty much like the watches this Swiss company has been making since 1883. It's a beautiful time piece, which helps explain its hefty ($600 or more) price but what isn't obvious is that the watch tracks steps and sleep, displays the time in two time zones and can wake you up, not just at an exact time but at the optimal time before your alarm setting, based on your sleep cycle.</p><p>All of these functions are controlled by the MotionX app that runs on Android and iPhones. The app also makes sure that the watch is synced with the exact time and allows you to review your steps, calories and sleep data from your phone.</p><p>I suppose it's a combination of jet lag and a busy trade show schedule but last night I got less than six hours of sleep. Two hours were deep sleep, three and a half hours were light sleep and I woke up six times. The good news is that I walked more than 11,000 steps yesterday at the show and around Berlin. </p><p>This watch won't show me who's calling or texting and it doesn't measure my heart rate but it does run two years on a replaceable battery, which means that I don't have to worry about charging it, which is especially important if you're using the watch to track your sleep, which is when you would typically charge it. But even if I weren't sleeping with it, I probably would forget to charge it, which is precisely why I'm not wearing the Samsung S2 or any other smartwatch that requires almost daily recharging.</p><p>Withings, a French company, was at IFA with its new Steel HR smartwatch that has both analog hands and a digital display to show your continuous heart rate, steps, sleep cycles and notifications. The company claims 25 days battery life on a charge. It's likely to cost about $200 when it ships later this year.</p><p> Samsung, MotionX and Withings are taking smart but different approaches to smartwatches, but that doesn't necessarily mean that a smartwatch is a smart purchase for the technologically timid or budget-minded consumer. This product category is young and needs time to mature. And that time will be measured in months and years by a calendar -- not in minutes and hours by a watch, smart or otherwise.</p><p> Contact Larry Magid at <a href="mailto:larry@larrymagid.com" >larry@larrymagid.com</a>. Listen for his technology chats on KCBS (AM 740 and FM 106.9) weekdays at 3:50 p.m.</p><a href="mailto:larry@larrymagid.com">larry@larrymagid.com</a>/larry-magidtalk-like-dick-tracy-samsungs-new-smartwatchestrue568Talk like Dick Tracy on Samsung's new smartwatches12http://www.mercurynews.com/larry-magid/ci_30317108/talk-like-dick-tracy-samsungs-new-smartwatchesBusinessTechnology30320962SJM-TECHFILES-0904.xmltrue:biz:bizstaff:netflix:ptech:svcolumns:svwireless:sv2020news:wolverton:whatsnew:bizbreaking: :whatsnew:twolverton@mercurynews.comBy Troy Wolverton, twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.comFri, 2 Sep 2016 07:14:27 PDTFri, 2 Sep 2016 07:14:29 PDTWed, 2 Sep 2026 17:52:16 PDTFri, 2 Sep 2016 07:14:29 PDTFri, 2 Sep 2016 17:54:09 PDTFri, 2 Sep 2016 17:52:21 PDT3114falseBy Troy Wolverton&#44; twolverton&#64;bayareanewsgroup&#46;com2016-09-02T07:14:27-07:0020160902T175409-07002016-09-02T07:16:11-07:0020160902T175221-07002016090209/02/20162026-09-02T17:52:16-07:0098YCutting the cord gets easier with Sling TV, DirecTV Now, other alternatives to cableOnline pay TV alternatives are becoming more tempting as services like Sling TV improve and new services like DirecTV Now prepare to launch.Online pay TV alternatives are becoming more tempting as services like Sling TV improve and new services like DirecTV Now prepare to launch.<p>As tired as I am of paying my pay TV bill, I haven't yet been convinced to cut the cord. </p><p>Until recently, the online alternatives to traditional cable and satellite TV packages didn't measure up. They didn't offer access to the same broad assortment of programming. And even as many cable channels started offering their programs through apps, they often required users to have a cable or satellite subscription to watch them.</p><p>But that situation is changing. You can already choose from at least three different services that offer a cablelike assortment of channels that are streamed over the internet.</p><p>While those offerings aren't perfect, they are improving, and more such services are on the way. Indeed, with the online alternatives becoming more attractive, it may not be too long before I ditch my traditional set-top box.</p><p>Perhaps the company making the biggest splash with a streaming multichannel video service is Dish, which launched its Sling TV offering last year. When I first tested it, I liked Sling's potential.</p><p>With Sling, Dish was trying to make pay TV more like Netflix -- inexpensive and easy. At $20 a month, it was a relative bargain compared with the typical cable TV package. Because users tuned in with a digital media player like Roku's boxes, they didn't have to pay costly monthly fees to rent a set-top box.</p><p>Rather than overwhelming customers with hundreds of channels they'd never watch, Dish promised a more tailored offering of top networks. And like Netflix, it allowed customers to drop out painlessly; instead of having to sign up for a long-term contract, they paid month to month and could cancel at any time.</p><p>But Sling's offering was hobbled by offering users too little. At launch, it came with only a dozen channels in the basic package. And users could watch only one stream at a time; a husband and wife couldn't watch two different programs through Sling simultaneously unless they each had their own account.</p><p>Over the past 18 months, Dish has been quietly improving Sling. The basic package -- which is still $20 a month -- now includes 28 channels, including most of the top networks. For $25 a month, you can stream up to three devices at once and get 44 channels, although you do lose access to ESPN and the Disney Channel. You can also now get up to 100 channels through the service by tacking on collections of channels that Sling bundles together in $5 bunches.</p><p>In short, Sling is looking more and more like a real rival to a traditional pay TV service -- albeit one that's delivered on terms that are much friendlier to consumers.</p><p>What's promising about this emerging era of internet-delivered pay TV is Sling TV isn't your only choice. Instead, you're likely to be able to choose from numerous alternatives that offer you similarly friendly terms -- lower prices, no costly equipment to rent, the ability to tune in programming on smartphones and tablets as well as televisions, and no long-term contracts.</p><p>Already, you can also choose from Sony's PlayStation Vue service, which, like Sling TV, has been getting better since the company launched it last year. Sony recently added the NFL Network to the service and this summer made it available on Roku digital players and Android smartphones and tablets.</p><p>Some Comcast subscribers have another choice -- that company's $15 a month Stream TV. That service, targeted at the company's broadband customers, allows them to watch live, on-demand and recorded programs on smartphones and tablets. Right now, though, it's offered in only a handful of states, not including California, and users can watch only some of their programs on their televisions or away from home.</p><p>You can expect to have more options soon. AT&T plans to launch DirecTV Now, a multichannel pay TV service delivered over the internet rather than via a satellite dish, later this year. Hulu has said that it plans to launch a cable TV-like streaming video service next year. Meanwhile, Comcast is reportedly considering opening up Stream TV to a much wider audience of potential customers -- including those who aren't subscribers to its broadband service.</p><p>And more companies may join the fray. After years of nonstop growth, the number of households signed up for some form of pay TV fell in 2013 for the first time ever. The industry has now experienced three straight years of declines and the results from the first half of 2016 look like it will be another down year. Thanks to those declines and the growth in the overall population, more than a fifth of all American households have now either canceled their pay TV service or never signed up for one.</p><p>That dynamic is making the TV industry as a whole nervous -- and much more receptive to online alternatives.</p><p>When Dish was putting Sling TV together two years ago, many of the cable programmers didn't want to admit that cord cutting was a real phenomenon, Sling CEO Roger Lynch told me recently. And many were wary about how online alternatives like Sling might affect the pay TV industry.</p><p>But those attitudes have shifted as Sling has added subscribers while the rest of the industry, including parent company Dish, has shed them.</p><p>"They realize this is the future," he said.</p><p>Contact Troy Wolverton at 408-840-4285 or <a href="mailto:twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com" >twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com</a>. Follow him at <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton" >www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton</a> or <a href="http://Twitter.com/troywolv" >Twitter.com/troywolv</a>.</p><a href="mailto:twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com">twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com</a><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton">www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton</a><a href="http://Twitter.com/troywolv">Twitter.com/troywolv</a>

Jae C&#46; Hong
49313479http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0902/20160902__slingtv~1.JPG6454302943549313482http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0902/20160902__slingtv~1_100.JPG10067700949313483http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0902/20160902__slingtv~1_200.JPG200133896249313484http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0902/20160902__slingtv~1_300.JPG3002001134249313485http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0902/20160902__slingtv~1_400.JPG4002671420449313486http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0902/20160902__slingtv~1_500.JPG500333173321/businesscutting-cord-gets-easier-sling-tv-directv-nowtrue568Cutting the cord gets easier with Sling TV, DirecTV Now, other alternatives to cable9http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_30320962/cutting-cord-gets-easier-sling-tv-directv-nowBusinessheader30320970imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0902/20160902__slingtv~1.JPG
AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
Roger Lynch, far right, CEO of Sling TV, demonstrates on Sling TV, a live
television streaming service, at the Dish Network's news conference at the
International CES, Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, in Las Vegas.
Jae C. Hong
30313704SJM-QUINN-0901.xmltrue:biz:svcolumns:sv2020news:whatsnew:bizbreaking:quinn:By Michelle Quinn, mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.comWed, 31 Aug 2016 16:00:10 PDTWed, 31 Aug 2016 16:00:13 PDTMon, 31 Aug 2026 16:48:02 PDTWed, 31 Aug 2016 16:00:13 PDTThu, 1 Sep 2016 06:36:16 PDTThu, 1 Sep 2016 06:35:16 PDT3112falseBy Michelle Quinn&#44; mquinn&#64;bayareanewsgroup&#46;com2016-08-31T16:00:10-07:0020160901T063616-07002016-08-31T16:00:23-07:0020160901T063516-07002016083108/31/20162026-08-31T16:48:02-07:002120YPalo Alto mayor considers banning big tech businessesPalo Alto Mayor Pat Burt wants the city to look at restoring some of the mix of businesses the town has lost with the growth of Palantir Technologies and other tech firms.Palo Alto Mayor Pat Burt wants the city to look at restoring some of the mix of businesses the town has lost with the growth of Palantir Technologies and other tech firms.<p>Downtown Palo Alto used to be the startup capital. Firms like Facebook and Google started small there, grew bigger and then moved out when they became too large.</p><p>But, according to Pat Burt, the mayor of Palo Alto, the city's role as a tech incubator is in danger. Large employers like Palantir Technologies, the secretive private software firm, and Amazon, which has a large research center in the heart of the Peninsula city, have taken over, he says.</p><p>"It's become a monoculture," Burt says.</p><p>And he wants to do something about that -- to actually say no to some kinds of growth. Burt has been looking at revamping a decades-old zoning ordinance that would force tech companies to move out when they get too big.</p><p>Cities everywhere are creating tech zones to attract firms with high-paying jobs. Most American mayors salivate at the thought of tech employers coming to their towns. Not Burt.</p><p>Palo Alto has already been criticized for wanting the jobs that come with being a tech corporate headquarters but not keeping pace with housing development. Now, it appears, some of its leaders are not sure about the job growth either.</p><p>Burt may sound crazy, but I can see his point. Job growth is a great thing, but if the influx of workers and traffic chokes the life out of a city, public officials have to ask if it's too much.</p><p>The funny thing is that the question, which has become a common debate in San Francisco and Oakland, hasn't been asked as often in the heart of Silicon Valley.</p><p>Palo Alto has long been a perfect startup location -- close to Stanford, venture capital firms on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, and not far from bigger tech firms. The nearby Caltrain station brings workers from San Francisco. Young entrepreneurs have enjoyed the cafes and restaurants on University Avenue. When Facebook took over the Sun Microsystems campus in Menlo Park, it tried to re-create the cozy feeling and bustle of downtown Palo Alto.</p><p>Burt points to a decades-old city ordinance that limits research and development -- along with hardware and software work -- in downtown Palo Alto. The aim of planners was to push companies with high capacity to grow to the outer edges of the city and into campuses like Stanford Research Park, he says.</p><p>No one really enforced the ordinance, and in the 1990s companies such as WebTV and others set up shop and grew in downtown Palo Alto. SurveyMonkey and Pinterest, among others, have taken root there before looking elsewhere.</p><p>Then Palantir ate Palo Alto. The firm is in 20 downtown office buildings and by one estimate has captured 12 percent of the available downtown commercial space.</p><p>"Companies are supposed to grow up," he adds. But in Palo Alto, Burt says, having a big corporation downtown is "not what we do well."</p><p>Now Burt, a chief executive at TheraDep Technologies, has begun discussing with city staff and other council members whether to revive that ordinance or come up with a new one to nurture smaller startups over big companies. He says the city attorney has informed him that existing businesses will have to be grandfathered in.</p><p>Already, some are questioning whether Burt's on the right track. </p><p>"Before you outlaw the kinds of people who are working here downtown, there should be a more careful analysis of the symbiosis between the workers who are downtown and the retail who is downtown," said Judy Kleinberg, president and chief executive of the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce.</p><p>The mayor has "an agenda to keep large tech firms out of the downtown zone," she said. If he succeeds, "it would probably kill our retail. It's all those people in all those offices who support our first floor retail. That's where our sales tax revenues go into a general fund to offer a life that our residents enjoy."</p><p>Yes, research must be done. Does a city have the right to say how big a company can grow in its downtown? Even if it does, should it? </p><p>And it's not clear how such a plan would work. The city recently passed a cap limiting growth in three industrial areas to less than 1 percent. If a homegrown startup grows too big, would it have to leave town?</p><p>Still, Burt is an uncommon voice in the go-go world of today's tech boom.</p><p>Palo Alto doesn't have to be the place where it all happens, he says.</p><p>"I just think it's a fallacy to think that unrestrained growth must be a great thing," he said. "We need to become better in having other regions to benefit as well."</p><p>Contact Michelle Quinn at 510-394-4196 or <a href="mailto:mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com" >mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com</a>. Follow her at <a href="http://Twitter.com/michellequinn" >Twitter.com/michellequinn</a>.</p><a href="mailto:mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com">mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com</a><a href="http://Twitter.com/michellequinn">Twitter.com/michellequinn</a>Tech firm scooping up Palo Alto office spacehttp://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_29834056/palo-alto-palantir-is-taking-over29834056

Traffic passes by the headquarters for the data company Palantir on Thursday, April 23, 2016, along Alma Street in Palo Alto, Calif.

Judy Kleinberg, CEO/president of the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, from left; Pat Burt, a Palo Alto City Council member; and Tanjja Rueckert, executive vice president and CEO of SAP celebrate after the ribbon-cutting for HanaHaus new cafe and community workspace Tuesday, March 17, 2015.

Norbert von der Groeben&#47;Bay Area News Group Archives49292174http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0831/20160831__SJM-BURT-0831~1.JPG64547626811049292177http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0831/20160831__SJM-BURT-0831~1_100.JPG100741260949292178http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0831/20160831__SJM-BURT-0831~1_200.JPG2001481705349292179http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0831/20160831__SJM-BURT-0831~1_300.JPG3002212281049292180http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0831/20160831__SJM-BURT-0831~1_400.JPG4002952934549292181http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0831/20160831__SJM-BURT-0831~1_500.JPG500369377212/michelle-quinnpalo-alto-considers-saying-no-tech-growth-thistrue568Palo Alto mayor considers banning big tech businesses21http://www.mercurynews.com/michelle-quinn/ci_30313704/palo-alto-considers-saying-no-tech-growth-thisOpinionEntertainmentposition130122037freeform<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/css/site568/package-rss.css" media="all"> <div class="packagesGrpBox" style="width:200px;height:auto;"><div class="packagesHeader"><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/michelle-quinn">More Michelle Quinn columns</a></div> <div class="packagesBox"> <script type="text/javascript"> var sending_article_id =location.pathname.substring(location.pathname.lastIndexOf('/')+1); if (typeof sending_article_id != 'undefined') { var script_to_load="http://scripts.bayareanewsgroup.com/scripts/feed2js/feed2js.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.mercurynews.com%2Fmngi%2Frss%2FCustomRssServlet%2F568%2F279201.xml&num=5&del=y&rel=y&delid=" + sending_article_id; } else { var script_to_load="http://scripts.bayareanewsgroup.com/scripts/feed2js/feed2js.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.mercurynews.com%2Fmngi%2Frss%2FCustomRssServlet%2F568%2F279201.xml&num=5&del=y&rel=y"; } document.write("<script type='text/javascript' src="+ script_to_load+ "><\/script>"); </script> <noscript> <a href="http://scripts.bayareanewsgroup.com/scripts/feed2js/feed2js.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.mercurynews.com%2Fmngi%2Frss%2FCustomRssServlet%2F568%2F279201.xml&amp;num=5&amp;del=y&amp;rel=y&amp;html=y"></a> </noscript></div> <ul> </ul></div>position230313751imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0831/20160831__SJM-PALANTIR-0831-01~1.JPG
Traffic passes by the headquarters for the data company Palantir on Thursday, April 23, 2016, along Alma Street in Palo Alto, Calif. Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Groupposition430313769imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0831/20160831__SJM-BURT-0831~1.JPG
Judy Kleinberg, CEO/president of the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, from left; Pat Burt, a Palo Alto City Council member; and Tanjja Rueckert, executive vice president and CEO of SAP celebrate after the ribbon-cutting for HanaHaus new cafe and community workspace Tuesday, March 17, 2015. Norbert von der Groeben/Bay Area News Group Archives30309269CCT-VIDGAME-0902.xmltrue:cacho:games: :locbreak:whatsnew:By Gieson Cacho, gcacho@bayareanewsgroup.comTue, 30 Aug 2016 17:13:10 PDTTue, 30 Aug 2016 17:13:12 PDTMon, 31 Aug 2026 16:05:22 PDTTue, 30 Aug 2016 17:13:12 PDTWed, 31 Aug 2016 16:06:23 PDTWed, 31 Aug 2016 16:05:27 PDT3112falseBy Gieson Cacho&#44; gcacho&#64;bayareanewsgroup&#46;com2016-08-30T17:13:10-07:0020160831T160623-07002016-08-30T17:14:21-07:0020160831T160527-07002016083008/30/20162026-08-31T16:05:22-07:001514YFour indie games worth checking outReleased this summer, 'Headlander,'' 'Abzu,' 'Road to Ballhalla' and 'Strike Vector EX' offer hours of fun.Released this summer, 'Headlander,'' 'Abzu,' 'Road to Ballhalla' and 'Strike Vector EX' offer hours of fun.<p>A decade ago, summer was a dead zone for video games. Publishers ignored the season while preparing to launch their big-budget fall releases. </p><p>But that's changed. Now indie developers are capitalizing on the quiet period to spotlight their work. </p><p>Earlier, Microsoft nurtured this idea with Summer of Arcade, which helped popularize indie titles such as "Braid," "Limbo" and "Bastion." More recently, Psyonix released "Rocket League" during the lull, and it became an eSports phenomenon. </p><p>This season, "No Man's Sky" drew the most attention, but other indie titles are worth of a look. Here are four:</p><ul><li> "Abzu": Developed by Giant Squid, this seafaring exploration game draws comparisons to "Journey." And that's no surprise, since some of the team members behind that legendary title ventured out to create "Abzu." <p>Players take on the role of the Diver, who awakes in the ocean and delves beneath the surface. Though grounded in reality, this world will seem alien to most players, as the Diver comes across goblin sharks, orcas, giant squids plus sea life from millions of years ago.</p><p>"Abzu" is mostly about exploring. As players find drones that open up closed areas, they can unlock more of the story by paying attention to subtle hints in the environment. The Giant Squid creators have packed a lot into the short but sweet "Abzu."</p></li><li> "Headlander": San Francisco-based Double Fine Productions eschews video game conventions, as this sci-fi Metroidvania-style title clearly demonstrates.<p>In it, players take on the role of a disembodied head encased in a high-tech helmet. Weird, I know, but in the game's bizarre version of the future, humans have uploaded their awareness and intellect to the cloud, and downloaded robot bodies. </p><p>Everything is hunky-dory until Methuselah, the artificial intelligence that powers the system's space station, goes berserk.</p><p>Players step into the role of the last flesh-and-blood human, who must bring Methuselah under control. </p><p>Luckily, being a disembodied head enables a player to access ventilation ducts and take over headless robots. He or she will do a lot of body switching while exploring the expansive station and fending off Methuselah's guards.</p><p>As they open up new areas and venture deeper into the station, "Headlander" players feel a sense of accomplishment. Pervading the single-player adventure are a 1970s sci-fi vibe and quirky humor. (Watch a video of 'Headlander' at <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/video-games" >www.mercurynews.com/video-games</a>.)</p></li><li> "Road to Ballhalla": Imagine "Marble Madness" but with a snarky, sadistic twist, and you get a feel for this puzzle title by Torched Hill. <p>The premise is simple: Players control a ball that they must roll from point A to point B. Predictably, that's way easier said than done as they encounter laser traps, obstacles and invisible paths. </p><p>Through each game stage, Torched Hill mercilessly offers bad advice and tempts players with paths on which the ball will be destroyed. </p><p>Once in awhile, a hint on how to negotiate a puzzle proves useful, but most of the time players will feel as if the creative team is taunting them.</p><p>Though challenging, "Road to Ballhalla" is more enjoyable than some comparable games. </p></li><li> "Strike Vector EX": For fans of "Gundam" and other Japanese mech anime, Ragequit Corporation's latest release is a dream come true. <p>"Strike Vector EX" is part "Air Combat" and part "Virtua On." Players pilot agile ships that can switch from high-speed flight to hovering attack mode with the press of a button, though adjusting to the unique control system may take a while. </p><p>The pace is fast as players switch from dogfights to mech combat and anything in between. They can get their feet wet with a campaign that teaches the basics of piloting ships, but the meat of "Strike Vector EX" is found in multiplayer mode.</p><p>Though "Strike Vector Ex" could use more mech-to-mech combat refinement, the game pretty much nails what it's like to pilot a flying robot.</p><p>Contact Gieson Cacho at 510-735-7076 or <a href="mailto:gcacho@bayareanewsgroup.com" >gcacho@bayareanewsgroup.com</a>. Read his blog at <a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei" >http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei</a>.</p></li></ul><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/video-games">www.mercurynews.com/video-games</a><a href="mailto:gcacho@bayareanewsgroup.com">gcacho@bayareanewsgroup.com</a><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei">http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei</a>

49276222http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0830/20160830__CCT-VIDGAME-0902~1.JPG6453635842249276225http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0830/20160830__CCT-VIDGAME-0902~1_100.JPG100561177649276226http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0830/20160830__CCT-VIDGAME-0902~1_200.JPG2001131506549276227http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0830/20160830__CCT-VIDGAME-0902~1_300.JPG3001691969249276228http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0830/20160830__CCT-VIDGAME-0902~1_400.JPG4002252530149276229http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0830/20160830__CCT-VIDGAME-0902~1_500.JPG500281320361/gieson-cachofour-indie-games-worth-checking-outtrue568Four indie games worth checking out15http://www.mercurynews.com/gieson-cacho/ci_30309269/four-indie-games-worth-checking-outEntertainmentheader30307044freeform<iframe width="560" height="447" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://forge.gg/i/VmlkZW86ODU3NTY1/embed" allowfullscreen></iframe>30308180SJM-QUINN-0831.xmltrue:biz:svcolumns:sv2020news:whatsnew:bizbreaking:quinn:By Michelle Quinn, mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.comTue, 30 Aug 2016 12:44:30 PDTWed, 31 Aug 2016 04:41:39 PDTSun, 30 Aug 2026 15:46:38 PDTWed, 31 Aug 2016 04:41:39 PDTWed, 31 Aug 2016 04:42:30 PDTWed, 31 Aug 2016 04:42:02 PDT3111falseBy Michelle Quinn&#44; mquinn&#64;bayareanewsgroup&#46;com2016-08-30T12:44:30-07:0020160831T044230-07002016-08-30T12:46:21-07:0020160831T044202-07002016083008/30/20162026-08-30T15:46:38-07:003029YWhat if Uber stumbles on way to IPO?Michelle Quinn: Uber, don't be this tech boom's Webvan. Michelle Quinn: Uber, don't be this tech boom's Webvan. <p>The tech industry is pedaling along just fine.</p><p>Nothing on the horizon seems likely to knock off Google, Facebook, Apple or the many smaller companies that are keeping up with the pack.</p><p>Except, what if, Uber, the most valuable startup in the world, stumbles on its road to an IPO?</p><p>Gulp.</p><p>That's what I thought after reports last week said that the ride-hailing company lost $1.2 billion in the first half of 2016 after losing more than $2 billion in 2015.</p><p>Sure, startups lose money all the time as they carve out new markets and grow as big as they can. And Uber, valued at more than $62 billion, isn't hurting for cash even with its losses. The seven-year old firm manages to raise another few billion every few months, and has many billions in the bank.</p><p>But the moment of reckoning, when private investors who have been financing Uber will need to cash out, may come soon. The company is aware of how important it will be to show that it is on the road to profitability. Earlier this year, it touted its profitability in the U.S. (but is reportedly back in the red even here).</p><p>The danger is that Uber, the most valuable startup ever, may be too expensive for public investors. They won't tolerate a few bad quarters at the billion dollar loss level.</p><p>That prospect could be ugly, not just for Uber or competitors such as Lyft. It would be a blow to the 170-plus so called "unicorns," the startups that are valued at more than $1 billion.</p><p>A rough Uber IPO could be a where-were-you-when moment for tech, much like the day Webvan closed its doors in the dot-com boom. We know that irrational exuberance fuels the run up and irrational depression fuels the down cycle. Investors get spooked, and companies stop hiring and spending until they can get better visibility. If it happens, this period of tech growth will come to a screeching halt.</p><p>That's the risk of this boom. Investors have created unicorns that are blown up like balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Big, big investments and big, big losses equal big, big valuations -- if the company executes well.</p><p>A recent study found that one-third of today's unicorns won't be worth that much when they have an exit -- whether that means being bought by another company or having an IPO. The thinning of the herd has already begun with companies having to accept lower "down rounds" of funding.</p><p>Robert Siegel, a venture capitalist with XSeed Capital and a Stanford University lecturer, doesn't buy my Uber doomsday scenario.</p><p>"I don't believe there will be a cataclysm," he said. "Facebook's IPO was considered a catastrophe. Great companies can recover." </p><p>Should Uber stumble, what will matter are the underlying causes, said Enrico Moretti, a professor of economics at UC Berkeley. "The only scenario that Uber stumbling would affect the larger tech sector is if it was about something broader about the sector." </p><p>That makes sense. And I hope that Uber doesn't stumble. But if the past is any guide, Uber's success has a symbolic value far beyond the company's performance. It's about whether this tech boom is built on something real or the stuff of dreams.</p><p>Contact Michelle Quinn at <a href="mailto:mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com" >mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com</a></p><a href="mailto:mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com">mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com</a>

The Uber headquarters building on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif., is photographed Dec. 14, 2015.

Fruit and vegetables are on display as part of the introduction of Webvan's online grocery service in Oakland.

Nick Lammers&#47;Bay Area News Group Archives49274389http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0830/20160830__SJM-WEBVAN-0830~1.JPG6454628830749274392http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0830/20160830__SJM-WEBVAN-0830~1_100.JPG100721339149274393http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0830/20160830__SJM-WEBVAN-0830~1_200.JPG2001431893349274394http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0830/20160830__SJM-WEBVAN-0830~1_300.JPG3002152669349274395http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0830/20160830__SJM-WEBVAN-0830~1_400.JPG4002873540649274396http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0830/20160830__SJM-WEBVAN-0830~1_500.JPG500358459052/michelle-quinnuber-dont-be-this-tech-booms-webvantrue568What if Uber stumbles on way to IPO?30http://www.mercurynews.com/michelle-quinn/ci_30308180/uber-dont-be-this-tech-booms-webvanOpinionEntertainmentposition130122037freeform<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/css/site568/package-rss.css" media="all"> <div class="packagesGrpBox" style="width:200px;height:auto;"><div class="packagesHeader"><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/michelle-quinn">More Michelle Quinn columns</a></div> <div class="packagesBox"> <script type="text/javascript"> var sending_article_id =location.pathname.substring(location.pathname.lastIndexOf('/')+1); if (typeof sending_article_id != 'undefined') { var script_to_load="http://scripts.bayareanewsgroup.com/scripts/feed2js/feed2js.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.mercurynews.com%2Fmngi%2Frss%2FCustomRssServlet%2F568%2F279201.xml&num=5&del=y&rel=y&delid=" + sending_article_id; } else { var script_to_load="http://scripts.bayareanewsgroup.com/scripts/feed2js/feed2js.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.mercurynews.com%2Fmngi%2Frss%2FCustomRssServlet%2F568%2F279201.xml&num=5&del=y&rel=y"; } document.write("<script type='text/javascript' src="+ script_to_load+ "><\/script>"); </script> <noscript> <a href="http://scripts.bayareanewsgroup.com/scripts/feed2js/feed2js.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.mercurynews.com%2Fmngi%2Frss%2FCustomRssServlet%2F568%2F279201.xml&amp;num=5&amp;del=y&amp;rel=y&amp;html=y"></a> </noscript></div> <ul> </ul></div>position230289801imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0825/20160825__SJM-UBER-0825~1.JPG
The Uber headquarters building on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif., is photographed Dec. 14, 2015.
Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Groupposition330308191imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0830/20160830__SJM-WEBVAN-0830~1.JPG
Fruit and vegetables are on display as part of the introduction of Webvan's online grocery service in Oakland.
Nick Lammers/Bay Area News Group Archives30303986SJM-APPLE-0830.xmltrue:biz:bizstaff:apple:svcolumns:sv2020news:quinn:whatsnew:bizbreaking:By Michelle Quinn, mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.comMon, 29 Aug 2016 13:28:38 PDTMon, 29 Aug 2016 13:28:40 PDTSat, 29 Aug 2026 15:41:05 PDTMon, 29 Aug 2016 13:28:40 PDTMon, 29 Aug 2016 15:42:21 PDTMon, 29 Aug 2016 15:41:07 PDT3110falseBy Michelle Quinn&#44; mquinn&#64;bayareanewsgroup&#46;com2016-08-29T13:28:38-07:0020160829T154221-07002016-08-29T13:30:21-07:0020160829T154107-07002016082908/29/20162026-08-29T15:41:05-07:001211YApple may unveil new iPhone next weekAs consumers hold on to their phones longer, Apple is expected to introduce new features for the iPhone 7 line. As consumers hold on to their phones longer, Apple is expected to introduce new features for the iPhone 7 line. <p>CUPERTINO -- On Monday, Apple announced a date for its fall event, a time when the company typically unveils new products. </p><p>Apple is expected to introduce an updated iPhone line with an improved camera and a new home button. The firm may also show its next Apple Watch. </p><p>The invitation for the Sept. 7 event at the Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco didn't offer major hints. But the invite included an image of swirling, out-of-focus, multicolored lights, which may be a reference to a new dual-lens camera expected in some of the newest iPhones. </p><p>Apple's understated invitation comes at a critical time for the Cupertino firm. Sales of the iPhone, which represent two-thirds of the firm's annual revenue, have been down in recent quarters. </p><p>One possible reason: Users are upgrading their phones less frequently. The company is under pressure to revive interest in the iPhone for the Christmas shopping season. </p><p>If the company keeps with the same naming pattern, the devices would be the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. They reportedly will have the same look as the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus but, with an improved camera and possibly a new home button that vibrates to the touch.</p><p>A dual-lens camera for the iPhone could "allow for different focusing tricks such as the blurry background Apple has in its invite," reports tech blog Recode.</p><p>Perhaps the biggest change to the iPhone will be getting rid of the headphone jack, if early reports prove true. If that happens, owners of the newest iPhones will have to rely on Bluetooth-enabled headsets. One possible reason for the change may be to create a bit more room on the iPhone in order to boost the phone's battery, CNET reported.</p><p>The Apple Watch line, which first went on sale in 2015, is also expected to be updated. </p><p>The firm may be skipping a major redesign of the iPhone this year and instead focusing on unveiling a new line in 2017, using the device's 10th anniversary to generate more excitement, some observers have speculated. An all-glass model with wireless charging may be in the works.</p><p>Contact Michelle Quinn at 510-394-4196 and <a href="mailto:mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com" >mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com</a>. Follow her at <a href="http://Twitter.com/michellequinn" >Twitter.com/michellequinn</a>.</p><a href="mailto:mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com">mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com</a><a href="http://Twitter.com/michellequinn">Twitter.com/michellequinn</a>

Courtesy Apple -- Pictured is the invitation sent to journalists by Apple to announce the Sept. 7, 2016 product introduction event at the Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco. The hot rumor is that a new iteration of the popular iPhone - the iPhone 7 - will be among the new products introduced.

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Courtesy Apple -- Pictured is the invitation sent to journalists by Apple to announce the Sept. 7, 2016 product introduction event at the Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco. The hot rumor is that a new iteration of the popular iPhone - the iPhone 7 - will be among the new products introduced.
position230290231imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0825/20160825__SJM-APPLE-0825-01~1.JPG
The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium is decorated for an Apple media event Wednesday morning, Sept. 9, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif. Karl Mondon30298033SJM-SECEXPERTS-0828.xmltrue:biz:bizstaff:ptech:svcolumns:svsecurity:sv2020news:wolverton:twolverton@mercurynews.comBy Troy Wolverton, twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.comSat, 27 Aug 2016 09:39:46 PDTSat, 27 Aug 2016 10:00:00 PDTSat, 29 Aug 2026 12:17:05 PDTSat, 27 Aug 2016 10:00:00 PDTSat, 27 Aug 2016 10:00:00 PDTMon, 29 Aug 2016 12:18:20 PDTMon, 29 Aug 2016 12:17:12 PDT3110falseBy Troy Wolverton&#44; twolverton&#64;bayareanewsgroup&#46;com2016-08-27T09:39:46-07:0020160829T121820-07002016-08-27T09:40:16-07:0020160829T121712-07002016082708/27/20162026-08-29T12:17:05-07:003029YProtecting personal data: Real-world tips from security gurusSecurity experts know better than most the limits of the standard advice, and feel free to go beyond -- and sometimes ignore -- the rules as they see fit.Security experts know better than most the limits of the standard advice, and feel free to go beyond -- and sometimes ignore -- the rules as they see fit.<p>Marcin Kleczynski, CEO of a company devoted to protecting people from hackers, has safeguarded his Twitter account with a 14-character password and by turning on two-factor authentication, an extra precaution in case that password is cracked.</p><p>But Cooper Quintin, a security researcher and chief technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, doesn't bother running an anti-virus program on his computer.</p><p>And Bruce Schneier? The prominent cryptography expert and chief technology officer of IBM-owned security company Resilient Systems, won't even risk talking about what he does to secure his devices and data.</p><p>"The stuff I do, I consider my business," Schneier said. "I'm kind of a target."</p><p>With nearly daily reports of cyber attacks, identity thefts and security breaches -- even the NSA's most sensitive secrets have been compromised -- it seems all our financial, health and personal data is at risk from online villains. So we decided to ask the people who really know what they are doing -- computer security experts -- how they stay safe in their own lives. </p><p>Some of the answers were surprising.</p><p>Many security gurus take extra precautions to safeguard their data, accounts or devices. But many also feel free to flaunt the rules, at least in particular cases.</p><p>Take Quintin. Part of his job is to offer advice to activists and the public about how to protect themselves online.</p><p>Although much of Quintin's advice echoes that of other gurus -- keeping operating systems and software up-to-date and being careful with passwords -- he diverges from the pack when it comes to anti-virus software. It's not a big part of his recommendations, and he avoids the software in his own life.</p><p>Part of the reason is his computer runs Linux, which is targeted by far fewer pieces of malware than Windows computers. Indeed, if Quintin were using a Windows machine, he said he'd probably run an anti-malware program.</p><p>But he's also philosophically opposed to anti-malware software, because he thinks it gets people to lower their guard about the security threats they face.</p><p>"I don't like to get complacent and rely on it in any way," Quintin said. "I like to keep my common sense sharp."</p><p>Quintin's not the only security expert who sometimes ignores the rules. You know the advice from gurus about always using strong passwords and a different one for every site? Avivah Litan, a security researcher at Gartner, often ignores it.</p><p>She admits she doesn't come up with overly complicated passwords. She doesn't change them very frequently. And while she makes sure to use strong and unique passwords to protect financial and other sensitive data, she reuses relatively simple passwords on other sites -- typically on ones which would have little consequence if they were compromised, like a travel loyalty card service.</p><p>"I don't go crazy over this stuff," said Litan. "The cost of having a complicated password is greater than having my points stolen."</p><p>Eugene Spafford, likewise, spurns one of the key rules, but for good reason.</p><p>The Purdue computer science professor, who focuses on cyber security, has a computer whose operating system and software he generally doesn't bother to update, even though he sometimes uses it to access sensitive files. That's because the computer isn't connected to the internet, which is generally the source of most malware.</p><p>"I don't have it on a network, so I don't have to worry about it," Spafford said.</p><p>To be sure, Spafford and other gurus often take extra care with their devices and data, going above and beyond the typical security advice.</p><p>Quintin, for example, regularly encrypts his email to protect it from being read by people who might intercept it. But he doesn't recommend that average users scramble their email, because he thinks the encryption software is just too difficult to use.</p><p>Kleczynski, the CEO of security company Malwarebytes, mostly follows the standard security advice. But he goes all out to protect his Twitter account, because he worries about the message it would send if a hacker was able to compromise it.</p><p>"It would be extremely embarrassing," he said.</p><p>Whenever he's accessing the internet over a public hotspot, John Dickson, a principal at security consulting firm the Denim Group, will connect to a virtual private network through his office to safeguard his traffic. He also enjoys making up complicated passwords that you can't find in a dictionary.</p><p>When he does it on devices at home, it "drives my wife crazy," he said.</p><p>Spafford too takes a lot of extra steps to protect himself and his data. In addition to using an unconnected computer for sensitive files, he sometimes accesses files on a virtual machine he creates on one of his computers. When he is done, he deletes the machine. He also has a firewall device in his home to protect his network from hackers. And he's developed some tools in his research center that he uses to try to detect security problems.</p><p>But, like Resilient's Schneier, he's reluctant to discuss the particulars of many of the steps he takes.</p><p>"There are some additional things I do," Spafford added. "I'm not going to give details of all of them, because that doesn't help me."</p><p>Contact Troy Wolverton at 408-840-4285 or <a href="mailto:twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com" >twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com</a>. Follow him at <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton" >www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton</a> or <a href="http://Twitter.com/troywolv" >Twitter.com/troywolv</a>.</p><a href="mailto:twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com">twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com</a><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton">www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton</a><a href="http://Twitter.com/troywolv">Twitter.com/troywolv</a>8 simple steps to secure your devices and datahttp://www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton/ci_30298035/simple-steps-secure-your-devices-and-data30298035

Courtesy of Malwarebytes49240973http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-2~1.JPG6454265116649240976http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-2~1_100.JPG100661411449240977http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-2~1_200.JPG2001321730449240978http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-2~1_300.JPG3001982125649240979http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-2~1_400.JPG4002642573049240980http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-2~1_500.JPG500330311135/troy-wolvertonwhen-it-comes-protecting-personal-data-security-gurustrue568Protecting personal data: Real-world tips from security gurus30http://www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton/ci_30298033/when-it-comes-protecting-personal-data-security-gurusBusinessTechnologyConsumer-electronicsposition230297948imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-3~1.JPGAvivah Litan, security analyst at Gartner, a technology research firm.
position330297947imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-2~1.JPGMarcin Kleczynski, CEO of security software company Malwarebytes. Courtesy of Malwarebytesposition430297951imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-6~1.JPGBruce Schneier, chief technology officer of IBM's Resilient Systems, a
cyber security firm.
Courtesy of Martha Stewartposition530297954imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-7~1.JPGJohn Dickson, principal at Denim Group, a computer security consulting
firm.
Courtesy of Denim Groupposition430297950imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-5~1.JPGEugene Spafford, computer science professor and executive director emeritus for the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and
Security (CERIAS) at Purdue University.
Courtesy of Purdue University30298035SJM-TECHFILES-0828.xmltrue:biz:bizstaff:ptech:svcolumns:svsecurity:sv2020news:wolverton:whatsnew:bizbreaking: :whatsnew:locbreak:twolverton@mercurynews.comBy Troy Wolverton, twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.comSat, 27 Aug 2016 09:42:06 PDTSat, 27 Aug 2016 10:00:00 PDTThu, 27 Aug 2026 09:42:04 PDTSat, 27 Aug 2016 10:00:00 PDTSat, 27 Aug 2016 10:00:00 PDTMon, 29 Aug 2016 08:08:20 PDTMon, 29 Aug 2016 08:06:25 PDT3108falseBy Troy Wolverton&#44; twolverton&#64;bayareanewsgroup&#46;com2016-08-27T09:42:06-07:0020160829T080820-07002016-08-27T09:42:17-07:0020160829T080625-07002016082708/27/20162026-08-27T09:42:04-07:001817Y8 simple steps to secure your devices and dataSecurity threats abound, but you can better protect your devices and data by using security patches, anti-malware software, common sense and more to create a layered defense.Security threats abound, but you can better protect your devices and data by using security patches, anti-malware software, common sense and more to create a layered defense.<p>It's not easy protecting your devices and data these days.</p><p>Ransomware, email scams, identity theft, hacking attacks, massive data breaches -- the news is filled with stories of the security threats consumers, businesses and governments face. When even the National Security Agency can't keep its crucial information secure, you may rightly wonder what an average person can do.</p><p>It's definitely a challenge. The threats are evolving, becoming increasingly sophisticated and costly and affecting more people. What's considered to be the best advice can soon become obsolete as criminals develop new methods or the security researchers better understand the weaknesses in older strategies. And the more data we put online, the more devices we connect and the more things we do on the internet, the more we have at risk. </p><p>"I don't envy the average consumer who has to stay on top of these things," said Marcin Kleczynski, CEO of Santa Clara-based Malwarebytes, which makes anti-malware software.</p><p>But as difficult as it may be, it's important to try to protect yourself. Consumers and businesses have been bilked out of billions of dollars and lost access to valuable files and data thanks to malware and online scams. </p><p>And as daunting as it may seem, there are some relatively simple steps you can take to make your devices and data more secure. The top advice from security experts: Don't expect any one step to completely protect you. Instead, think of the steps as lines of defense.</p><p>Here are some of the measures security experts recommend:</p><ul><li> Assess your risk. Someone working in the political opposition in Egypt is going to have a different level of risk than the average American. Someone who spends much of her life online is going to have more at risk than someone who goes online only occasionally to check his email. The more at risk you are or the more sensitive your data, the more steps you'll likely have to take to protect yourself.</li><li> Backup your data. This is perhaps the most critical step you can take, because it helps ensure not only against security threats but also hardware failures. A malware infection becomes much more tolerable if you can just wipe out your computer and reinstall everything from a backup.<p>It's smart to backup regularly, so that you can restore the latest changes you've made to your device or the latest data you've added. But it's also important to ensure that the hard drive or service you use to backup your computer isn't always connected to it. The latest versions of ransomware, a type of malware that encrypts data and extorts users for money to unscramble it, can jump from a PC to attached drives, potentially affecting backups as well.</p><p>You can avoid such problems by disconnecting your hard drive after it backs up your computer; burning your data to DVDs; or using an online backup service like Carbonite that only connects to your computer periodically and keeps multiple versions of your data.</p></li><li> Keep your software up to date. Much of the malware in circulation exploits security holes in operating systems, browsers and plug-in programs like Adobe's Flash. It's important to install security updates to those software programs because they close those holes. And it's a good idea to install those updates right away or set your computer to automatically install them when they are released, because the release draws attention to vulnerabilities in the unpatched software, potentially leading to more malware designed to exploit them.<p>Just by keeping your software up to date, "you will be far less vulnerable to attacks," said Cooper Quintin, staff technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital rights advocacy group.</p></li><li> Run anti-malware software and keep it updated. Anti-malware software is far from perfect. Research indicates that most programs do a pretty good job at catching viruses that have been in circulation for a while -- and a pretty lousy job at identifying and eliminating novel threats. But anti-malware is usually better than nothing -- as long as you don't rely on it as your sole means of defense.</li><li> Be careful with your passwords. Doubtless, you've heard lots of advice on using better, more secure passwords. And undoubtedly, you've probably ignored that advice, at least on occasion. It's a good idea to heed it, at least when trying to protect things like your financial accounts or sensitive data. The more powerful computers become and the more sophisticated hackers get, the easier it is for them to crack simple passwords. <p>Some of the key advice from security analysts: Generally, the longer the password and the more random the characters used, the better. And don't reuse passwords, at least not with the accounts that house your most valuable information. If that password is compromised, it puts multiple accounts at risk. </p><p>Of course, following such advice can make it difficult or impossible to remember passwords. One thing that can help is a password manager. Programs like LastPass and 1Password can store all your complicated passwords, help you create new ones and allow you to access your list on different devices.</p></li><li> Be careful with social media. What you say on Facebook doesn't necessarily stay on Facebook. Scammers can use information they glean about you from your social media posts to impersonate you to scam money from your friends and relatives or your company. They can also use that information to crack your passwords or the security questions that many companies use to authenticate users who want to reset their passwords. <p>That doesn't mean you should close your Facebook and Twitter accounts. But it does mean you should think about what you post and who has access to it.</p></li><li> Think before you click. One of the most common sources of malware is through email links and attachments. Scammers have gotten pretty good at sending out email the looks like it legitimately came from your bank, and hackers have frequently been able to use malware to hijack consumers' accounts to send out emails in their name to family members and friends. That's why it's a good idea to be skeptical of any link or attachment you receive, even if it appears to be from your spouse or most trusted associate. <p>Instead of clicking on a link that appears to come from your bank, go to the bank's website directly. Rather than open the attachment that appears to come from your friend, text or call the friend to make sure they actually sent it to you.</p></li><li> Be skeptical. You should develop a "suspicious mindset" when you're online, said Eugene Spafford, a professor of computer science at Purdue University who focuses on security issues. This extends beyond being skeptical of email links and attachments to being careful about clicking on advertisements you see or visiting websites.<p>Advertisements for free software or notifications that urge you to download anti-virus programs can be vehicles for malware. And the internet's pornography and gambling sites can be havens for malicious software. </p><p>"Moral issues aside, there are solid technical reasons why to not visit the seedier sites on the internet," said John Dickson, principal at the Denim Group, a security consulting firm.</p><p>Contact Troy Wolverton at 408-840-4285 or <a href="mailto:twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com" >twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com</a>. Follow him at <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton" >www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton</a> or <a href="http://Twitter.com/troywolv" >Twitter.com/troywolv</a>.</p><p>HOW TO KEEP YOUR INFORMATION SECURE<br></p><p>1. Assess your personal risk<br>2. Backup the information on your devices<br>3. Be sure to keep your software up to date <br>4. Run anti-malware software (and keep it updated)<br>5. Don't ignore advice on creating strong passwords<br>6. Watch what you share on social media<br>7. Think before you click<br>8. Be cautious online</p></li></ul><a href="mailto:twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com">twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com</a><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton">www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton</a><a href="http://Twitter.com/troywolv">Twitter.com/troywolv</a>Protecting personal data: Real-world tips from security gurushttp://www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton/ci_30298033/when-it-comes-protecting-personal-data-security-gurus30298033

Marcin Kleczynski, CEO of security software company Malwarebytes.

Courtesy of Malwarebytes49240965http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-1~1.JPG6454304162049240968http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-1~1_100.JPG100671222049240969http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-1~1_200.JPG2001331392049240970http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-1~1_300.JPG3002001646649240971http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-1~1_400.JPG4002671999749240972http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-1~1_500.JPG500333240471/troy-wolvertonsimple-steps-secure-your-devices-and-datatrue5688 simple steps to secure your devices and data18http://www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton/ci_30298035/simple-steps-secure-your-devices-and-dataBusinessTechnologyConsumer-electronicsheader30297946imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-secexperts-0827-1~1.JPGMarcin Kleczynski, CEO of security software company Malwarebytes. Courtesy of Malwarebytes30289695SJM-MAGID-0828.xmltrue:biz:bizstaff:ptech:svcolumns:sv2020news:magid:whatsnew:bizbreaking:By Larry MagidFor the Mercury NewsThu, 25 Aug 2016 08:41:10 PDTThu, 25 Aug 2016 08:41:12 PDTWed, 26 Aug 2026 19:26:11 PDTThu, 25 Aug 2016 08:41:12 PDTSat, 27 Aug 2016 08:24:18 PDTSat, 27 Aug 2016 08:23:40 PDT3107falseBy Larry MagidFor the Mercury News2016-08-25T08:41:10-07:0020160827T082418-07002016-08-25T08:42:32-07:0020160827T082340-07002016082508/25/20162026-08-26T19:26:11-07:001514YTech products for the back-to-school crowdJust about every student from upper elementary school grades through graduate school needs some type of computing deviceJust about every student from upper elementary school grades through graduate school needs some type of computing device<p>With school already in session or about to start, lots of people are shopping for new technology. Whether it's a young student looking for a phone or a tablet or an older one in need of a laptop, there are plenty of products to think about for the back-to-school crowd.</p><p>Just about every student from the upper elementary school grades through graduate school needs some type of computing device. For some, a tablet is sufficient, especially if you equip it with an external keyboard for writing papers. You could, of course, spend between $269 and $800 (plus the cost of a keyboard) for an Apple iPad, but you could also opt for an Android or Amazon Fire tablet for as little as $49. </p><p>Even if the student in your life is an iPhone or Mac user, you should still consider a less expensive tablet. In my experience, Android and Amazon tablets can be just as reliable and pleasant to us as iPads, and most (though admittedly not all) the iOS apps that work on iPads also have versions for Android.</p><p>While some students are perfectly comfortable typing on a tablet's glass keyboard, I recommend that you consider an external Bluetooth keyboard for maximum efficiency for writing papers. They're not expensive. Logitech, for example, makes a $30 keyboard that will work with computers, tablets and smartphones.</p><p>Tablets have their place, but there is something to be said for the versatility of a laptop, and it's now possible to get a pretty good one at a budget price, especially if you consider a Chromebook that runs Google's Chrome OS, instead of Windows or Macintosh OS X.</p><p>Acer, Asus and Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba and Samsung are among the companies that make Chromebooks for under $300 and in some cases under $200. The low-cost models aren't the fastest devices in the world and they have very limited storage, but -- since they're powered by Google -- you can bet they'll be adequate for accessing web-based applications including Google's own free word processing, spreadsheet and presentation apps.</p><p>And even though Chromebooks are designed primarily for use while connected to the internet, it is possible to use some of the apps, including Google docs and spreadsheets, while you're not connected. A portion of this column was written on a Chromebook while not connected to the internet.</p><p>Although there are plenty of Chrome apps, there are cases in which a Mac or a Windows machine is either handy or necessary. I love the MacBook Air, but the least expensive new one costs $899, though you might consider a used or refurbished one.</p><p>There are plenty of inexpensive Windows laptops, starting at under $200. HP offers a 2.75-pound, 11-inch Stream laptop starting at $179 that comes with high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity, a decent keyboard and screen, an HDMI port for an external monitor or TV set, and two USB ports for optional external hard drives and other peripherals.</p><p>The least expensive model comes with only a paltry 32 gigabytes of storage, but there will be a 64 GB "Pro" version. Either way, that's not a lot of storage, but you get a free terabyte of online storage for a year. To sweeten the deal, they throw in a one-year subscription to Microsoft Office 365 personal edition, which is worth $70. The Stream comes in kid-friendly colors: Violet Purple, Aqua Blue and Snowy White.</p><p>I'm not sure I'd recommend this for a high schooler, but a very low-cost laptop might be a good choice for middle school-aged students, especially if they have a tendency to lose or break things.</p><p>High school and college students may need a more powerful laptop with a sufficient amount of storage such as a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro or any good Windows 10 laptop like the Dell XPS 13, which starts at $799.</p><p>A lot of kids have smartphones these days and they're using them for an incredible range of tasks, including homework. I know teachers who incorporate smartphones (or tablets for kids who don't have one) in their assignments. Again, you have lots of choices ranging from low-cost Android phones to the latest high- end iPhone. If your kid really wants an iPhone and money matters, consider a reconditioned used one from places like Gazelle or look for a less expensive smaller or older model from your carrier or an Apple retailer, including places like Walmart and Costco.</p><p>Other useful back-to-school tech items include an external battery for phones and tablets like the $24 Anker PowerCore 1000, which lets you charge any USB phone or tablet, even if you're away from an electrical outlet.</p><p>External USB hard drives are also quite useful to back up your device or provide additional storage, and, of course, students will need a good backpack with plenty of padding and enough pockets for all their gadgets.</p><p>I don't typically recommend extended warranties, but when it comes to tech that can be easily lost or broken, it may make sense to get some type of insurance.</p><p>Squaretrade is one of several companies that offer insurance programs that cover accidental damage. I signed up for a plan for my MacBook Air after Apple refused to cover my old one after I spilled coffee on the keyboard. And when buying tech products, try to use a credit card that offers an extended warranty and loss or damage protection. Not all do, but some will cover your products for up to 120 days.</p><p>Contact Larry Magid at <a href="mailto:larry@larrymagid.com" >larry@larrymagid.com</a>. Listen for his technology chats on KCBS (AM 740 and FM 106.9) weekdays at 3:50 p.m.</p><a href="mailto:larry@larrymagid.com">larry@larrymagid.com</a>

Every student from the upper elementary school grades through graduate school needs some type of computing device.

Photo Illustration by Carl Court&#47;Getty Images49241045http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-magid-0827-1~1.JPG64543011858849241048http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-magid-0827-1~1_100.JPG100671635749241049http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-magid-0827-1~1_200.JPG2001332094149241050http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-magid-0827-1~1_300.JPG3002002734949241051http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-magid-0827-1~1_400.JPG4002673502249241052http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-magid-0827-1~1_500.JPG500333437381/larry-magidtech-products-back-school-crowdtrue568Tech products for the back-to-school crowd15http://www.mercurynews.com/larry-magid/ci_30289695/tech-products-back-school-crowdBusinessTechnologyposition230297963imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0827/20160827__sjm-magid-0827-1~1.JPGEvery student from the upper elementary school grades through graduate school needs some type of computing device.
Photo Illustration by Carl Court/Getty Images30295419SJM-QUINN-0827.xmltrue:biz:svcolumns:sv2020news:whatsnew:bizbreaking:quinn:By Michelle Quinn, mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.comFri, 26 Aug 2016 16:45:14 PDTFri, 26 Aug 2016 16:45:15 PDTWed, 26 Aug 2026 17:02:17 PDTFri, 26 Aug 2016 16:45:15 PDTFri, 26 Aug 2016 17:22:18 PDTFri, 26 Aug 2016 17:21:40 PDT3107falseBy Michelle Quinn&#44; mquinn&#64;bayareanewsgroup&#46;com2016-08-26T16:45:14-07:0020160826T172218-07002016-08-26T16:46:17-07:0020160826T172140-07002016082608/26/20162026-08-26T17:02:17-07:0098YSanta Clara: Dell janitors forced to take pay cutsDell says the labor dispute is between its facilities management contractor and janitors, not with DellDell says the labor dispute is between its facilities management contractor and janitors, not with Dell<p>Thanks to a new union contract, Reynalda Rangel was looking forward to her pay going up $1 an hour for her work as a swing-shift janitor at Dell's campus in Santa Clara.</p><p>Instead, Rangel, who has cleaned at the campus for more than three years, saw her hourly pay drop from $14 to $11.50.</p><p>Same job, less pay. </p><p>What happened at Dell is something I thought was mostly in the past. For years, tech firms distanced themselves from taking care of the gardeners, security guards and other service workers who help keep their campuses running. They hired contract firms or relied on building management companies to deal with pay, benefits and conditions for those workers. When labor disputes arose, the tech companies would say, "It's got nothing to do with us." </p><p>That sentiment began to change more than two decades ago when labor and janitors won their first contracts as part of the successful Justice for Janitors campaign. The biggest win was impressing on many tech companies that they had some responsibility for what happened inside their workplaces even if they contracted with outside firms for janitorial service. </p><p>Now many tech firms play a role in negotiations, pressuring contract companies that hire janitors to resolve negotiations. In some cases, tech companies pay higher than the agreed upon contracts, union representatives say. </p><p>No tech firm in Silicon Valley, where the haves and have-nots live in two separate worlds, wants service workers protesting in front of their offices. </p><p>But that's what Dell got this summer. </p><p>In May, the union representing 8,000 janitorial workers in the Bay Area won a new contract with 23 janitorial service firms. Under the new contract, the hourly wage would rise from at least $13.50 to $15 for most workers. Benefits also improved, including increased job protections. </p><p>Of the many companies, including Google, Facebook, Apple, Adobe and Genentech, where these janitors work, only one office switched janitorial service providers immediately after the new contract was approved: Dell. </p><p>In a statement, Dell said that this "is an issue between the union and a subcontractor of the facilities management company, CBRE."</p><p>"Dell is committed to responsible business practices and to high standards of ethical behavior," the company said. </p><p>Exactly what happened is a matter of some dispute. </p><p>CBRE backs up Dell, saying the change was made after "a competitive process involving a number of firms, including the current provider." </p><p>But Steve Boardman, a spokesman with the union, says that "the contractor that had cleaned Dell's facilities agreed to fair terms and, in essence, Dell vetoed that agreement." That contractor, Able, declined to comment.</p><p>In the end, Boardman told me, it doesn't really matter who the janitorial contractor is for work inside Dell. "Our issue is what the janitors are paid inside," he said. </p><p>Dell doesn't appear to get that it's old school now to say that janitorial contracting firms and building management companies are in charge of service workers in its midst. </p><p>This isn't about just being hip to Silicon Valley's progressiveness. There are real people affected by Dell or CBRE or whomever's actions. </p><p>Rangel is one of about 20 janitors affected by the changing contract. She still works at Dell, having been picked up by the new service firm. But she has had her hours cut back to 30 from 40 hours a week. Things are tighter. She lives with her two daughters, 22 and 17, in a one-bedroom apartment in Sunnyvale she rents for $1,500. Rangel also has a second job assembling medical devices from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., where she makes $20 an hour. </p><p>But with the cuts at her Dell job, she says she's had to adjust. She said she has cut off the family's cable, Wi-Fi and even reduced her food costs. </p><p>"Dell is playing with people's lives," she said through a translator. "I want it to be a responsible company."</p><p>It's OK to break from the pack and go one's own way when it comes to creating new technology or business models, as Dell did when it sold computers online back in the 1990s. </p><p>But in this case, the company should keep up with its Silicon Valley competitors.</p><p>The responsible thing to do is to pay the people who clean the cubicles and conference rooms the livable wage that they fought for. </p><p>Contact Michelle Quinn at 510-394-4196 and <a href="mailto:mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com" >mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com</a>. Follow her at <a href="http://Twitter.com/michellequinn" >Twitter.com/michellequinn</a>.</p><a href="mailto:mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com">mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com</a><a href="http://Twitter.com/michellequinn">Twitter.com/michellequinn</a>

Reynalda Rangel, from Sunnyvale, talks about her job as a janitor at the Dell offices at the SEIU offices in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. When the local union representing janitorial staff negotiated a new contract, Dell dropped the contractor, says the union. She lost her job but was hired by the new janitorial firm, which isn't part of the union.

Nhat V&#46; Meyer&#47;Bay Area News Group49228847http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~2.JPG6454596584849228850http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~2_100.JPG10071958449228851http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~2_200.JPG2001421234049228852http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~2_300.JPG3002131578149228853http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~2_400.JPG4002851966349228854http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~2_500.JPG500356239651/michelle-quinnsanta-clara-dell-janitors-forced-take-pay-cutstrue568Santa Clara: Dell janitors forced to take pay cuts9http://www.mercurynews.com/michelle-quinn/ci_30295419/santa-clara-dell-janitors-forced-take-pay-cutsOpinionEntertainmentposition230294356imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~2.JPGReynalda Rangel, from Sunnyvale, talks about her job as a janitor at the Dell offices at the SEIU offices in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. When the local union representing janitorial staff negotiated a new contract, Dell dropped the contractor, says the union. She lost her job but was hired by the new janitorial firm, which isn't part of the union.Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group30294324SJM-QUINN-08XX.xmltrue:biz:svcolumns:sv2020news:whatsnew:bizbreaking:quinn:By Michelle Quinn, mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.comFri, 26 Aug 2016 10:31:38 PDTFri, 26 Aug 2016 10:31:39 PDTWed, 26 Aug 2026 12:30:41 PDTFri, 26 Aug 2016 10:31:39 PDTFri, 26 Aug 2016 12:32:17 PDTFri, 26 Aug 2016 12:30:44 PDT3107falseBy Michelle Quinn&#44; mquinn&#64;bayareanewsgroup&#46;com2016-08-26T10:31:38-07:0020160826T123217-07002016-08-26T10:32:19-07:0020160826T123044-07002016082608/26/20162026-08-26T12:30:41-07:001211YQuinn: Janitors at tech companies got a better deal -- but not from DellDell says the labor dispute is between its facilities management contractor and janitors, not with DellDell says the labor dispute is between its facilities management contractor and janitors, not with Dell<p>Thanks to a new union contract, Reynalda Rangel was looking forward to her pay going up $1 an hour for her work as a swing shift janitor at Dell's campus in Santa Clara.</p><p>Instead, Rangel, who has cleaned at the campus for more than three years, saw her hourly pay drop from $14 to $11.50.</p><p>Same job, less pay. </p><p>What happened at Dell is something I thought was mostly in the past. For years, tech firms distanced themselves from taking care of the gardeners, security guards and other service workers who help keep their campuses running. They hired contract firms or relied on building management companies to deal with pay, benefits and conditions for those workers. When labor disputes arose, the tech companies would say, "It's got nothing to do with us." </p><p>That sentiment began to change more than two decades ago when labor and janitors won their first contracts as part of the successful Justice for Janitors campaign. The biggest win was impressing on many tech companies that they had some responsibility for what happened inside their workplaces even if they contracted with outside firms for janitorial service. </p><p>Now many tech firms play a role in negotiations, pressuring contract companies that hire janitors to resolve negotiations. In some cases, tech companies pay higher than the agreed upon contracts, say union representatives. </p><p>No tech firm in Silicon Valley, where the haves and have nots live in two separate worlds, wants service workers protesting in front of their offices. </p><p>But that's what Dell got this summer. </p><p>In May, the union representing 8,000 janitorial workers in the San Francisco Bay Area won a new contract with 23 janitorial service firms. Under the new contract, the hourly wage would rise from at least $13.50 to $15 for most workers. Benefits also improved, including increased job protections. </p><p>Of the many companies, including Google, Facebook, Apple, Adobe and Genentech, where these janitors work, only one office switched janitorial service providers immediately after the new contract was approved: Dell. </p><p>In a statement, Dell said that this "is an issue between the union and a subcontractor of the facilities management company, CBRE."</p><p>"Dell is committed to responsible business practices and to high standards of ethical behavior," the company. </p><p>Exactly what happened is a matter of some dispute. </p><p>CBRE backs up Dell, saying the change was made after "a competitive process involving a number of firms, including the current provider." </p><p>But Steve Boardman, a spokesman with the union, says that "the contractor that had cleaned Dell's facilities agreed to fair terms and, in essence, Dell vetoed that agreement." That contractor, Able, declined to comment.</p><p>In the end, Boardman told me, it doesn't really matter who the janitorial contractor is for work inside Dell. "Our issue is what the janitors are paid inside," he said. </p><p>Dell doesn't appear to get that it's old school now to say that janitorial contracting firms and building management companies are in charge of service workers in its midst. </p><p>This isn't about just being hip to Silicon Valley's progressiveness. There are real people affected by Dell or CBRE or whomever's actions. </p><p>Rangel is one of about 20 janitors affected by the changing contract. She still works at Dell, having been picked up by the new service firm. But she has had her hours cut back to 30 from 40 hours a week. Things are tighter. She lives with her two daughters, 22 and 17, in a one-bedroom apartment in Sunnyvale she rents for $1,500. Rangel also has a second job assembling medical devices from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., where she makes $20 an hour. </p><p>But with the cuts at her Dell job, she says she's had to adjust. She said she has cut off the family's cable, Wi-Fi and even reduced her food costs. </p><p>"Dell is playing with people's lives," she said through a translator. "I want it to be a responsible company."</p><p>It's O. K. to break from the pack and go one's own way when it comes to creating new technology or business models, as Dell did when it sold computers online back in the 1990s. </p><p>But in this case, the company should keep up with its Silicon Valley competitors. </p><p>The responsible thing to do is to pay the people who clean the cubicles and conference rooms the livable wage that they fought for. </p><p>Contact Michelle Quinn at 510-394-4196 and <a href="mailto:mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com" >mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com</a>. Follow her at <a href="http://Twitter.com/michellequinn" >Twitter.com/michellequinn</a>.</p><a href="mailto:mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com">mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com</a><a href="http://Twitter.com/michellequinn">Twitter.com/michellequinn</a>

Reynalda Rangel, from Sunnyvale, talks about her job as a janitor at the Dell offices at the SEIU offices in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. When the local union representing janitorial staff negotiated a new contract, Dell dropped the contractor, says the union. She lost her job but was hired by the new janitorial firm, which isn't part of the union. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Reynalda Rangel, from Sunnyvale, talks about her job as a janitor at the Dell offices at the SEIU offices in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. When the local union representing janitorial staff negotiated a new contract, Dell dropped the contractor, says the union. She lost her job but was hired by the new janitorial firm, which isn't part of the union. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Stephen Boardman, communications coordinator at the SEIU-USWW, talks about the janitor's union in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Nhat V&#46; Meyer
49228839http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~1.JPG64546312544349228842http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~1_100.JPG10072958249228843http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~1_200.JPG2001441429449228844http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~1_300.JPG3002152125549228845http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~1_400.JPG4002873004649228846http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~1_500.JPG500359403063/michelle-quinnquinn-janitors-at-tech-companies-got-better-dealtrue568Quinn: Janitors at tech companies got a better deal -- but not from Dell12http://www.mercurynews.com/michelle-quinn/ci_30294324/quinn-janitors-at-tech-companies-got-better-dealOpinionEntertainmentposition230294356imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~2.JPG
Reynalda Rangel, from Sunnyvale, talks about her job as a janitor at the Dell offices at the SEIU offices in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. When the local union representing janitorial staff negotiated a new contract, Dell dropped the contractor, says the union. She lost her job but was hired by the new janitorial firm, which isn't part of the union. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Nhat V. Meyer
position330294357imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~3.JPG
Reynalda Rangel, from Sunnyvale, talks about her job as a janitor at the Dell offices at the SEIU offices in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. When the local union representing janitorial staff negotiated a new contract, Dell dropped the contractor, says the union. She lost her job but was hired by the new janitorial firm, which isn't part of the union. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Nhat V. Meyer
position430294355imagehttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2016/0826/20160826__quinn~1.JPG
Stephen Boardman, communications coordinator at the SEIU-USWW, talks about the janitor's union in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Nhat V. Meyer
30291504SJM-TECHFILES-0826.xmltrue:biz:bizstaff:apple:microsoft:ptech:svcolumns:svsecurity:svwireless:sv2020news:wolverton:whatsnew:bizbreaking: :whatsnew:twolverton@mercurynews.comBy Troy Wolverton, twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.comThu, 25 Aug 2016 18:09:50 PDTThu, 25 Aug 2016 18:09:52 PDTTue, 25 Aug 2026 18:30:26 PDTThu, 25 Aug 2016 18:09:52 PDTFri, 26 Aug 2016 07:36:17 PDTFri, 26 Aug 2016 07:35:00 PDT3106falseBy Troy Wolverton&#44; twolverton&#64;bayareanewsgroup&#46;com2016-08-25T18:09:50-07:0020160826T073617-07002016-08-25T18:10:17-07:0020160826T073500-07002016082508/25/20162026-08-25T18:30:26-07:001817YApple devices now a juicy target for hackersApple's gadgets have a reputation for security, but they're not invulnerable and they're attracting hackers much more than before.Apple's gadgets have a reputation for security, but they're not invulnerable and they're attracting hackers much more than before.<p>Apple's devices have a well-deserved reputation for security.</p><p>But if it wasn't clear before, it should be now: They're not invulnerable. And, in fact, they've become a prime target for hackers.</p><p>That was loud and clear Thursday with the news that a major trio of vulnerabilities -- dubbed "Trident" by security researchers -- had been discovered in iOS, the operating system underlying the iPhone and iPad. Apple already has a patch out, but reports indicate that the vulnerability has been around potentially for years and has been exploited.</p><p>Before I go any further, if you have an iPhone or other iOS device and haven't yet installed the update Apple issued Thursday, do so right away. The security flaws it fixes are particularly dangerous and could allow a hacker to do some pretty scary stuff with your phone, such as viewing your text messages, listening in on your calls and reading your email -- all without your knowledge.</p><p>Using this kind of vulnerability, an attacker could "figure out how to spy on every corner of your phone," said Andrew Blaich, a staff researcher at Lookout, which helped identify and report the flaws.</p><p>"What we found is that's actually being done," he added. "It's very much being used for that sort of purpose."</p><p>The fact that Apple's devices can have such critical vulnerabilities is not news to the community of computer security experts. But it may be somewhat of a shock to the company's many fans.</p><p>In the 2000s, Apple helped to cultivate the notion that its devices were impervious to security problems. The company ran a series of ads contrasting the headaches Windows PC users faced due to the viruses and security problems plaguing those computers with the seemingly blissful experience the Mac's purportedly rock-hard security promised its users.</p><p>In more recent years, Apple has touted the security of its iOS devices and has been very public about the steps it's taken to better protect them, particularly during and in the wake of its dispute with the FBI over cracking the iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters who killed 14 people in December.</p><p>The company's not just making empty boasts. Security experts generally give the company high marks for the efforts Apple's taken to secure its devices.</p><p>"Apple has some very strong claims they can make about being a secure platform," said Dan Cornell, chief technology officer of Denim Group, a computer security consulting firm. "When I look at my iPhone, I have a trust that a lot has been done to secure it."</p><p>And in some ways, the vulnerability revealed Thursday points to the efforts Apple has made. This wasn't some routine hack discovered or created by a teenager with time to kill. Instead, it was reportedly developed by a shadowy Israeli corporation backed by a San Francisco-based venture capital firm and used by the United Arab Emirates, which gives an indication of the sophistication of the exploit and the resources that went into developing or identifying it.</p><p>But the vulnerability also shows that for the effort Apple has made, its devices aren't invulnerable. And we shouldn't expect them to be.</p><p>As Cornell put it, "there is no such thing as perfect security."</p><p>It also emphasizes that hackers view Apple's devices much differently than they did when the company was running its Mac versus PC commercials. Then, users of Apple's devices really didn't have much to worry about. In part that was because of the security the company built into them. But an even bigger factor was that because relatively few people were using them, they weren't that attractive to hackers.</p><p>That situation has dramatically changed. According to Apple, there are now some 1 billion Apple devices in active use. And partly because Apple charges a premium for its products, the users of those devices tend to be more affluent and are more likely to be in positions of power or influence. </p><p>"Attackers are going to go where their targets are or their market share is," said Lookout's Blaich.</p><p>Apple is clearly aware of the increased scrutiny. Following past practices, the company is adding new layers of security into the next versions of iOS and the operating system underlying the Mac, building on what it's done before.</p><p>In response to the heightened threats, the company also appears to be rethinking its attitudes toward the larger security community. In the past, the company has been criticized for being something of a black box, for not engaging with the larger community of security researchers. It's also been taken to task for taking a long time to fix reported vulnerabilities and for not using a bug bounty program to encourage researchers to report security flaws. </p><p>But earlier this month, the company announced a "bug bounty" program. It did so in the context of a talk at the Black Hat conference that was reportedly one of its most open discussions to date of its security practices. And in the case of the Trident vulnerability, it fixed the bug and distributed a patch to users in a remarkable 10 days.</p><p>"Apple has started to take security much more seriously in recent years, especially this year," said Eva Galperin, global policy analyst at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. "The bug bounty is the best sign that they've turned over a new life."</p><p>Contact Troy Wolverton at 408-840-4285 or <a href="mailto:twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com" >twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com</a>. Follow him at <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton" >www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton</a> or <a href="http://Twitter.com/troywolv" >Twitter.com/troywolv</a>.</p><a href="mailto:twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com">twolverton@bayareanewsgroup.com</a><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton">www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton</a><a href="http://Twitter.com/troywolv">Twitter.com/troywolv</a>/troy-wolvertonapple-devices-now-juicy-target-hackerstrue568Apple devices now a juicy target for hackers18http://www.mercurynews.com/troy-wolverton/ci_30291504/apple-devices-now-juicy-target-hackersBusinessTechnologyConsumer-electronics30285683SJM-QUINN-0825.xmltrue:biz:svcolumns:sv2020news:whatsnew:bizbreaking:quinn:By Michelle Quinn, mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.comWed, 24 Aug 2016 13:07:24 PDTWed, 24 Aug 2016 13:07:25 PDTMon, 24 Aug 2026 16:40:52 PDTWed, 24 Aug 2016 13:07:25 PDTThu, 25 Aug 2016 08:44:18 PDTThu, 25 Aug 2016 08:42:58 PDT3105falseBy Michelle Quinn&#44; mquinn&#64;bayareanewsgroup&#46;com2016-08-24T13:07:24-07:0020160825T084418-07002016-08-24T13:08:31-07:0020160825T084258-07002016082408/24/20162026-08-24T16:40:52-07:002726YStartups' disastrous trend: entitled young founders, indulgent investorsVenture firms need to be more parent than friend to startups Venture firms need to be more parent than friend to startups <p>Founder's syndrome has taken a troubling turn.</p><p>Young startup founders, who have seen the success of founder-driven companies like Apple, Google, Facebook and many others, think they've got it all figured out. </p><p>They're getting money, but they don't think they need advice or mentoring. The last thing they want is a parent figure telling them "No." </p><p>And these days, those who can rein them in -- venture capitalists, investors, boards -- are giving them free rein.</p><p>The results aren't good. </p><p>Skully, the smart motorcycle helmet firm, has run out of money and shut down. Theranos, which promised to reinvent medical testing, faces multiple investigations. LendingClub's founder and CEO departed amid an altered loan documents scandal. Clinkle, the payment startup, raised $30 million but has little to show for it. Zenefits skirted state insurance regulations. </p><p>There are more ticking time bombs out there. The Securities and Exchange Commission, which is reportedly looking into a bunch of these companies, must be just gearing up. </p><p>Founder's syndrome -- when a founder thinks he or she knows what's best and doesn't want critical feedback -- has long been a tech industry affliction. But these days, it's becoming a bigger problem. </p><p>Too many startup CEOs see themselves as the revolutionary tech expert reshaping a field with new platforms that seasoned business professionals couldn't understand. They know what they are doing. They don't need governance and controls. </p><p>Their attitude is, I deserve this. My company is hotter than anyone else's. I raised this money. They gave it to me.</p><p>At Skully, the founders used investors' money as "their personal piggy banks," according to a lawsuit filed by a former employee. They bought cars, went on vacations and hired strippers, the suit claims. They didn't deliver their product to customers, who had paid for helmets, and declined to sign a non-disparagement agreement that could have allowed the company to go on without them. In the end, the firm closed. </p><p>Perhaps if Skully advisers and board members had pushed harder on the founders to be more accountable earlier on, things might have turned out differently. </p><p>Venture capitalists share some responsibility for today's problems as well. They have shifted to being less of a parent and more of a friend to CEOs. </p><p>"In an up cycle, everyone competes to be more founder-friendly," said Venky Ganesan, managing director of Menlo Ventures and chair of the National Venture Capital Association. Instead of telling the startup founder to stay in and work, venture capitalists go to a Taylor Swift concert with them, he said. </p><p>"The role evolution didn't do either party justice."</p><p>That new role was evident in a video promoting Rothenberg Ventures, a four-year-old seed stage venture firm that appears itself to be stumbling, with mass staff departures and an inquiry from the SEC, according to TechCrunch. </p><p>In the video, John Kobs, co-founder of Apartment List, praises the firm, saying it "feels more like you're doing business with your friends than doing business with your dad." </p><p>Of course, firsttime founders should find investors who share their vision. But when there is a lack of mentoring or controls, problems emerge. </p><p>"First-time founders haven't been humbled by reality," Ben Parr, an investor and author, told me. "Investors have to be very wary of any founder that demonstrates the ego effect."</p><p>Andy Cunningham, the strategic marketing and communications expert who worked with Steve Jobs, said most of the entrepreneurs she works with are "sponges" for help and guidance. But lately, she has seen what she calls "silver spoon entrepreneurs. They have been given more money than they know how to handle."</p><p>For the record, Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, turned to powerful mentors such as Mike Markkula and Regis McKenna in the early years. "He didn't take anything for granted," Cunningham said. </p><p>With funding becoming tighter this year, companies afflicted with founder's syndrome already are facing some hard truths. And advisers, mentors and board members will have to deliver the bad news. </p><p>"Now that capital is expensive and time is cheap, governance is coming back," Ganesan of Menlo Ventures said. "I think people are getting the memo."</p><p>Unfortunately, for companies like Skully it's too late. </p><p>Contact Michelle Quinn at 510-394-4196 and <a href="mailto:mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com" >mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com</a>. Follow her at <a href="http://Twitter.com/michellequinn" >Twitter.com/michellequinn</a>.</p><a href="mailto:mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com">mquinn@bayareanewsgroup.com</a><a href="http://Twitter.com/michellequinn">Twitter.com/michellequinn</a>Skully: How hot startup became latest Silicon Valley darling to flame outhttp://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_30277791/skully-flameout-is-cautionary-silicon-valley-tale30277791San Francisco startup Skully a sham, ex-employee says in alleging outrageous spending on high lifehttp://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_30225980/san-francisco-startup-skully-weller-brothers-lavish-spending30225980